Travel firms are competing for summer holidaymakers with pledges of fast refunds and no extra charges amid rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions. On the Beach has committed to processing refunds on the same day for cancelled flights, becoming the first package holiday provider to offer immediate money back or an alternative flight if disruption strikes.
The pledge comes as easyJet launched a 'book with confidence' promise, ruling out additional fuel charges and affirming its intention to run a full summer schedule. Jet2 has also removed the provision for fuel surcharges from its booking conditions, while Virgin Atlantic introduced a surcharge on long-haul flights.
The moves aim to reassure consumers who are booking later due to uncertainty stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran, which has driven up oil prices and raised concerns about flight cancellations. Some European airlines, including Lufthansa, have already cancelled thousands of flights because of rising fuel costs.
Despite the fears, industry leaders stress that disruption is unlikely to reach pandemic levels. Caspar Nelson of On the Beach said the refund pledge allows customers to 'get back to looking forward to their summer'. easyJet's chief executive, Kenton Jarvis, said travellers have a right to book with confidence.
Travel association Abta's Mark Tanzer assured that travel is still going ahead, while the UK government and airlines say there is no current shortage of jet fuel, with US imports supplementing Gulf supplies. However, the International Energy Agency has warned of potential shortages within weeks in Europe.
